We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Comparison of the Effect of Stretching Exercises and Mefenamic Acid on the Reduction of Pain and Menstruation Characteristics in Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
- Authors
Motahari-Tabari, Narges; Shirvani, Marjan Ahmad; Alipour, Abbas
- Abstract
Objectives: Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecologic disorder. Although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used, due to their side effects and lack of response in some individuals, other approaches such as exercise have been considered. This study compared the effect of stretching exercises and mefenamic acid on the reduction of pain and menstruation characteristics in primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 122 female students with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea were assessed and were placed in either the exercise or mefenamic acid group. The exercise program was performed for 15 minutes, three times a week and included a five-minute warm up and six belly and pelvic stretching exercises for 10 minutes. The mefenamic acid group received 250 mg capsules every eight hours from the onset of menstruation until pain relief. Both interventions were performed during two consecutive menstrual cycles. Pain intensity was measured using a 10 cm visual analog scale. Results: The mean pain intensity was significantly higher in the exercise group only in the first cycle (p = 0.058). In the second cycle, the mean difference in pain reduction in the exercise group was higher than the mefenamic group compared to the start of the study (p = 0.056) and the first cycle (p = 0.007). There was no significant difference in the severity and duration of pain between the groups (p > 0.050). Conclusions: Stretching exercises were as effective as mefenamic acid in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Our results suggest that the effect of exercise on relieving menstruation pain increases over time.
- Subjects
TREATMENT of dysmenorrhea; PAIN management; COMPARATIVE studies; EXERCISE therapy; NONSTEROIDAL anti-inflammatory agents; PROBABILITY theory; STRETCH (Physiology); PAIN measurement; RANDOMIZED controlled trials; VISUAL analog scale; DESCRIPTIVE statistics
- Publication
Oman Medical Journal, 2017, Vol 32, Issue 1, p47
- ISSN
1999-768X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5001/omj.2017.09